Every act of peaceful rebellion adds up

I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning with my stomach in knots as I scrambled to check my twitter feed and email.

It was five a.m. but I was wide awake; physically in Amsterdam but my heart in Russia where I knew that five of my fellow activists were launching into action at a giant oil rig in the Russian Arctic — a rig that I’m all too familiar with.

As I scoured through the first images and read the tweets from the Arctic Sunrise, it all came flooding back — the crisp, salty morning air on my face as the inflatable zipped along towards Gazprom's giant rig; the roughness of the rope against my hands as I hung on for dear life; the mean red face of the massive Prirazlomnaya towering over us, the David vs. Goliath metaphor more real than ever before; next to me, Sini's eyes peering out through the gap between her helmet and scarf, calm and clear and beaming positivity at me.

Sini is an Greenpeace activist from Finland, and her commitment to the cause runs deep. She is from the Arctic. That was not her first rodeo, and I was grateful for her calm; I found my strength in hers. No surprise then that she was the one to go back today, for round two.

Last August, when Sini and our fellow activists were there in the Russian Arctic, we had nearly two million people fighting alongside us for a sanctuary in the unclaimed area around the North Pole, and a ban on oil drilling and industrial fishing in the wider Arctic. That was just two months after our campaign launched. As I write this, one year later, our movement is just under four million strong.

That’s four million people from every corner of this planet who have come together to say enough; four million people who know that what is at stake here is far too valuable to risk. Who know that an oil spill in this fragile region is all but inevitable.

Having spent 15 hours camped out on the side of that monstrosity a year ago, I can assure you that the Prirazlomnaya is hardly an example of modern engineering. This ancient rig was cobbled together from rusting pieces of decommissioned North Sea rigs, which then sat rusting in Russian shipyards for years before being dragged, construction uncompleted, to where it now sits. Even now it remains in disrepair, as shown in video footage shot by rig workers and uncovered by Greenpeace last week.

Yet in spite of this mounting evidence and its legacy of disasters, Gazprom, and this very rig, is soon set to produce the first offshore Arctic oil in the world. Last year the company boasted the same thing, but shortly after our protest, they announced a delay.

That delay — and the "pauses" and cancellations by countless other companies with similar Arctic ambitions ­­— are proof that protest works. Proof that our movement is powerful, that Arctic oil is not inevitable and that these companies can be stopped.

Right now Sini is on the Russian Coast Guard ship again. She's a long way from home. She's probably cold and wet and tired. But she knows, just as I did when I was on that rig, that she is not alone. Everywhere I look, from Istanbul to Indiana, the tradition of civil disobedience is being reignited. Something is happening. There is a shift in consciousness, the one we hoped would come, where ordinary people everywhere are realising our collective power and acting on it. We're all part of it.

You idiots got your asses whipped by people who take no nonsense. Quite different from spectacular stormings of Shell headquarters and such like, isn&...

You idiots got your asses whipped by people who take no nonsense. Quite different from spectacular stormings of Shell headquarters and such like, isn't it? Well, every bigot will meet his water cannon in the end - that much proven yet again. Now, throw away your iPads and go crawl into your wood heated caves, you smelly arseedifices.

Inspiring action ??? Where this was ???
Great article ??? Wher you have read it ???

Or do you mean this brainless bullshit above...

Inspiring action ??? Where this was ???
Great article ??? Wher you have read it ???

Or do you mean this brainless bullshit above ??

Having spent 15 hours camped out on the side of that monstrosity a year ago, I can assure you that the Prirazlomnaya is hardly an example of modern engineering. This ancient rig was cobbled together from rusting pieces of decommissioned North Sea rigs, which then sat rusting in Russian shipyards for years before being dragged, construction uncompleted, to where it now sits. Even now it remains in disrepair, as shown in video footage shot by rig workers and uncovered by Greenpeace last week.

What actually this idiot has seen of "modern engineering" hanging for 15 hours at the side of the oil rig ??? Last I saw similar picture was in zoo................ a happy orang utang !!!!!

Do people know who actually is supplying the ISS international space station ??? Russians do...........with their far away modern technology !!! But american technology seems to be much more far behind............because they cannot lift this job !!!! Same like flying back NATO-material from war in Iran and Afghanistan !!! Here every week min. 2 Antonov 124 are landing on NATO-airport.......... I only ask why ??? Because the nearly bankrupt BIG peace loving nature of USA cannot do it themselves!!!! Keep on sleeping and dreaming...............

If this IDIOT ever will put his feet on russian soil they should accuse him for his action last year in august and all his brainless talking about capability of russian industry.

30 years in his beloved Arctic would be suitable.............. and Greenpiss can continue to pay his monthly pay check so he can have nice life when retireing.................

I truly respect people who have the courage to stand up for their values and beliefs. Why should we simply accept that decisions on our future are mad...

I truly respect people who have the courage to stand up for their values and beliefs. Why should we simply accept that decisions on our future are made by a small number of powerful organisations only focused on maximising profits? Of course, there needs to be a balance between progress and restrictions to it, otherwise we would get nowhere but without organisations like Greenpeace, our only choice is to accept a future driven by short term profit gains.

P.S. Your comment on ducks bottoms clearly demonstrates that you do in fact speak for most people with half a brain cell... Luckily, there is no immediate risk that our future will ever be determined by such people.

mtk - do you "truly respect people who have the courage to stand up for their values and beliefs" of people who genuinelybelieve in the geno...

mtk - do you "truly respect people who have the courage to stand up for their values and beliefs" of people who genuinelybelieve in the genocide of competing cultures, paedophilia?

What makes me mad is that Greepeace think that their opinions are more important than everyone others and can ride roughshod over the rule of law because they are the "right" ones. Most others have to go through due democratic process to influence mainstream opinion. Why doesn't GP put some of their huge mountain of cash into more constructive activities - funding research, planting trees, helping the poor?

I can understand where wide-eyed idealists are coming from (I used to be one myself!) but the world is a much more complex place than the naïve black and white propaganda might suggest. Greenpeace needs to grow up - was Gazprom going to pack up their gear just because you clowns told them to? The Arctic 30 are in peril - who was the dumbo that planned that fiasco?

Interesting point: The whales were saved from going extinct by the transfer to mineral oil from whale oil.

Is this how it went down?
Greenpeace: "This is the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise requesting permission to enter Russian territorial wate...

Is this how it went down?
Greenpeace: "This is the Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise requesting permission to enter Russian territorial waters."

Russian Border Authorities: "Permission denied".

Greenpeace: "We are going to enter anyway."

And then the political monkeys whinge about how the Russians boarding their ship. Incredible! I am all for protecting the environment but that's the point. The political monkeys wherever they have (always briefly) gotten any power have always made it clear they won't challenge the existing status quo they claim to be against. They are also war-mongering, reactionary, money junkies.

Because Greenfleece ALWAYS is right !!! Why actually they asked for pe...

I have been reading your comments.......... But you are wrong!!!

Because Greenfleece ALWAYS is right !!! Why actually they asked for permission first ??? But they did not know that russian authorities might act in different way then the sissies of politicians in other countries..........
I could have told them in advance..............but they did not ask me !!

Now the have started their usual crying, jammer and lamentations...........

The "glorious" director of Greenfleece will fly to the 18 countries from where these 30 eco-terrorists are coming and give his brain dead statements there.............. Just iagine how much money Greenfleece is using for this and how much his travel is polluting ....??!!!

Listening the "arguments" of Greenfleece is like a prostitute fucking for virginity !!!!

I really hope these 30 eco-terrorists will get a fair trial in Court in Murmansk next monthe and then can enjoy 15 years in their beloved Arctis..............!!

Actually russians are nice people, they take people to Court not just put them to prison like the peace loving US does in Guantanmao............... and NOBODY is argueing abot this !!!

NB.: When I saw this "heroic" picture of this "director" at the russian oilrig.................. I came in mind of my last visit in zoo with cildren.............the area of orang utan's............ :-)

Gandhi was fighting in his own country..............not violating any other countries laws and properties...............

So why just Gandhi ???

Nobody can dream about writing a cmment about Hitler........... but he did not like the russians too, neither americans.......... a hero !!!

It would be nice if Greenfleece would start all their jammer and lamentations and instead just face justice like any other suspect for criminal actions !!! There will be Court Session in Murmansk next month and there Greenflece can com ewith all their arguments, "experts" incl. Dr. !! Putin................. and then take the judgement according to russian law.

This is a little bit off-topic, but I am concerned that the fact that the US military is the largest polluter on the planet always seems to go unrepor...

This is a little bit off-topic, but I am concerned that the fact that the US military is the largest polluter on the planet always seems to go unreported. I just saw you on Democracy Now, and feel that this fact, when talking about climate change and its effect on the environment, weather and people, needs to be addressed in every conversation.

Just look at one example of many...Iraq. Look at the fuel consumed by troop movement, weapons manufacture and implementation. Look at the pollution generated by military debris from bombs and chemicals. Consider that what is left from all this is a ruined, once thriving agricultural system, dirty drinking water, and an explosion of birth defects never seen before, and the creation of millions of refugees forced to flee internally and to other countries unequipped to take them on and offer them any sort of security and livelihood.

This needs to be known and thought about so that people have the opportunity to choose not to be a part of this.

I am absolutely with you there. Not only that, but the money that goes into the military there. Over a trillion dollars a year now! The US military bu...

I am absolutely with you there. Not only that, but the money that goes into the military there. Over a trillion dollars a year now! The US military budget for 2011 would have been enough to provide basic sanitation, nutrition, and healthcare for the entire developing world for 25 years, but instead they destroy lives and even ignore social problems in their own country. Just imagine what could be done if all that money went to sustainable energy, resource management, education, and so on? The US could be a world leader in environmental protection and advancement, instead of a world leader in environmental and social destruction.

I agree with your comments more than 110% !!! In my youth I have been NATO-soldier, stationed...

Why people like you are unorganised ????

I agree with your comments more than 110% !!! In my youth I have been NATO-soldier, stationed on big airfield in Denmark...........

2001 I visited Russia firts time in Vyborg and Skt. Petersburg. And I was chocked !!!!
I did not find anything of all this I earlier have been "tought" about this "aggressor" !!!!
Since that I have been travelling a lot in Russia every year and I feel greatfull to russian authorities granting me a 2-years business visa when I asked for a new 1-years visa........... Maybe it is due to some discussions with Kremlin (I wrote to Putin, but I think it was one of his staff who answered several times.....), with Director of Aeroflot, with the Community of the city I am visiting quiete often..........
I actually think I have done more changes in daily life in Russia than Greenfleece ever will achive with their stupid and ridiciolous actions. Just by peaceful discussions with documented arguments.

Greenpeace should try to take a talk with some multi national companies like swedish IKEA, danish Carlsberg, french Renault, american Hallyburton or Coca Cola........... and try to understand russian mentality............. instead of trying to change the world according to their thoughts..........

They are VERY polite and loveable people, but they react very strongly if somebody tries to obey laws of their country or even make sign to occupy any russian property.
I could have told the reaction Greenfleece now is crying about so much..............but nobody asked me !! :-(

Face reality............... and take the Court Session next month in Murmansk according to the demands russian law might have against these Greenfleece activits.............
There you can come with all your nothing saying "arguments", your "experts" incl. Dr. Vladimir Putin and all your crying and jammer.

And afterwards be THANKFULL if these eco-terrorists get permission to enjoy 15 years in their beloved Arctic !!!

Resign now Naidoo! What a spectacular misjudgement - now 30 wide-eyed idealists (just like those who participate in wars all around the world) rot in ...

Resign now Naidoo! What a spectacular misjudgement - now 30 wide-eyed idealists (just like those who participate in wars all around the world) rot in jail because of this protest that was always doomed to fail. Meanwhile you sit in some capital city (yert?), nice and warm (presumably wood-fired?) behind your propaganda machine running on clean-powered servers through non-mined copper wire or non-petroleum fibre optic cable.

You have got so caught up in your own self-righteousness you have placed the health and safety of these people at risk.

Use some of that mountain of cash to do something constructive. What next? Ask your foot soldiers to start dying for the cause? Or maybe even start killing?

I suggest you stick with picking on or interfering with tolerant western companies conducting their lawful business - that way you can still "save the planet" and can go home and sit on the couch smoking weed watching your beard grow - what chick doesn't love planet-savers!

I start thinking about these Greenfleece activists............ are they brain was...

It is not only a fiasco............it is a disaster !!!

I start thinking about these Greenfleece activists............ are they brain washed ???

How can theu accept a "director" like this ??? Now he is going to fly to the 18 countries of the arrested 30 "activists"...........giving the same stupid comments everywhere...........

Is he flying First Class like the Director of GGGI and now has ome problems in his homecountry, Denmark ??? Which company is he flwying with ??? To they get fuel from Shell or beloved BP..........or maybe plane is powered by solar energy !!??

This what he is doing now is actually same like a prostitute fucking for virginity !!!

How much Greenfleece actually is paying to such a "director" every year ???

I hope Greenfleece during next 15 years at least will pay their "activists" while they stay in their beloved arctis !!!! At least they deserve the support of the organisation who lead them to this disaster !!

I wonder about the life of these people when they get age of riterement. What will they be lving of ??? Ask for pension of the country they are living in.........claiming they are heroes ???

All I can say in great sadness and worry. Have a look on Google Earth and look how small the Artic is. The zoom out, and look how small the earth is. ...

All I can say in great sadness and worry. Have a look on Google Earth and look how small the Artic is. The zoom out, and look how small the earth is. Zoom out and see the stars. Have we all forgotten we are a planet. Somehow with the greatest brains we have, the spirit must be there despite borders to find a way, because this is it, really it, it is all we have, and for the future which isn't looking too good. I don't know what to do. I see these attempts to bring attention to the Artic by Greenpeace as the most extreme attempt to make us think. Now there is so much thought about "saving" the activists, but let us not forget they are there because they want us to think about the Big Picture. Everyone. It hurts somewhere and the little "ones" like me, we don't necessarily know what to do, we lie in bed not sleeping and worrying...we try our "little" ways to help. The people in power, in companies, and governments, elected by the people are the ones who can make the decisions...but in all of this we must look at the big Picture somehow. I wonder about what the world will offer for my little niece of 4 who had her birthday yesterday. At least something that has not happened, can perhaps be prevented.

What do you think this poor mammut and all his friends were thinking when ice ...

I do not know..........have you seen the films Ice Age ???

What do you think this poor mammut and all his friends were thinking when ice started to disappear ???????

Here where I am living last ice time stopped, then ice melted and created a wonderful landscape with deep valleys. clear lakes and rivers...........

ALL this area is protected and I was a part of this action during 20 years in democratic and not media horny way..............

In this most beautiful place of my world I have a building ground of 5.000 sqm........ 3/4 of it is protected by the law I myself was takeing part of to create............. I accept this and enjoy the beauty every day from my livingroom, kitchen, terasse...........

All this is created without any stupid actions of some "activists".........

Greenfleece has invaded russian arctic, NOT talking 1 single word with people living there............ Because Greenfleece knows much BETTER than people who have been living there for centuries................

About your niece of 4............... Congratulations !! Where you are living ??? I think me and my family could over VERY much to her when she is growing up !!!
You are welcome to contact me. You only have to pay for flight ticket for her ...........my wife and me, after our children got education and good jobs ............. in multi national companies with policy of social responsibility do not need 180 sqm house to live in. In basement there is appartment with own bathroom............. lately used by a russian girl for 9 months...........